New Year’s Celebrations – Students will learn Mandarin Chinese Phrases for Happy New Year. Also students will view Mandarin Chinese celebrations and what their cultural meaning.
Kwanzaa-Traditional West African drums, spirited dances, colorful candles and traditional clothes introduce young viewers to the African-American celebration of Kwanzaa. This program explores the seven principles of the Kwanzaa festival: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Cooperation, Purpose, Creativity and Faith in Self. An African folktale, ''Unanana and the Enormous One-Tusked Elephant,'' vividly illustrates the idea of conflict resolution within the community. Children learn to create their own necklaces from beads, buttons and pasta to share in the joy of this celebration.
Chinese New Year -Chinatown erupts with the noise of drums and firecrackers and the beauty of vibrant colors during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The most important and popular of all Chinese festivals, the ideas of communal awareness and starting anew are taught by honoring Tsun Kwan, the god of the hearth, and the festival of the dragon. A zodiac quiz and a traditional Chinese folktale show how traditions have remained constant over centuries, while a Chinese dragon-making project invites children to discover their own creativity.
Cinco de Mayo - Cinco de Mayo (the Fifth of May) is the celebration of Mexico's military victory over the French in 1862. This program highlights the history, preparations and festivities surrounding the holiday, and features the spirited sounds of a traditional Mexican mariachi band performing Mexican folk songs. Children also learn about the Mayan story of creation, and they are shown how to make their own maracas from everyday objects to re-create the sounds of Cinco de Mayo throughout the year. Part of the Holidays For Children Video Series.
Seven Candles for Kwanza - Based on the book by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Alfre Woodard narrates this telling of the African-American traditions that are a part of the holiday Kwanzaa. An animated program.
Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving is a time to remember how much we rely upon and are grateful for the earth's bounty. Children learn the story behind the first Thanksgiving celebration, traditionally the American harvest holiday, and they visit Plimoth Plantation. Nanticoke tribe dancers re-create the sense of excitement and wonder the Pilgrims must have felt upon meeting the Native Americans. Children learn an Abnaki tribe myth on the origin of corn that teaches the importance of sharing resources, and a craft demonstration presents how to make a miniature Mayflower from walnut shells.
Ramadan - Over one billion Muslim people worldwide observe Ramadan, a month-long religious observance. Children experience the beauty of the holiday as they construct their own Ramadan diorama and hear the exotic sounds of live Islamic and Middle Eastern music. They discover the religious significance of song and prayer and the principles and traditions that mark the holiest of the Islamic holidays. Children also learn the story of Muhammad and the Koran, the meaning of the Five Pillars of Islam and the importance of fasting and sacrifice in honor of Allah.
Rash Hashanah/Yom Kippur - Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Forgiveness, are the two High Holidays of the Jewish calendar. Children are introduced to the deep religious significance of these holidays through a traditional prayer, a Tashlikh ceremony, folk songs and animated fables. They learn what the foods associated with these holidays symbolize, the special clothing that is worn, the importance of the Torah and of performing good deeds throughout the year, as well as how to make greeting cards wishing health and happiness.
Christmas Around the World - Froehliche Weinachten! Maligayang pasko! These are just two of the ways children learn to say ''Merry Christmas'' while seeing how Christmas is celebrated around the globe. In Christmas Around the World, join the kids at the community center as they learn how different countries celebrate this important Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus. This video offers a glimpse of the special foods, objects, songs and stories that people around the world incorporate into their unique Christmas celebrations, and helps students gain an appreciation for distinctive Christmas traditions worldwide.
Halloween - Halloween is known as the holiday of witches, jack o' lanterns and trick-or-treating, but its history is much more complex. This program explores several folk traditions from Costa Rica, Mexico and Ireland to explain the origin of traditional Halloween symbols, costumes, the custom of trick-or-treating and why Halloween is a time to celebrate and honor the memory of loved ones past. The importance of Halloween safety is also discussed. Children learn how to create a papier-mache mask, and Irish folk singers perform to make this program an exciting, informative adventure.
Pow Wow - Many Native Americans from across the United States and Canada meet throughout the year at Pow Wows, gatherings where Native American culture and life are celebrated by everyone. In this program, children discover the creative traditions of Native American crafts as they make a kachina doll of their own and learn the folklore behind the dream catcher. This program also includes drum music, celebratory songs, dances and traditional tales that comprise the fabric of Native American culture while acquainting children with the meanings behind them.
Brush - From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow, this program presents the book by Pere Calders. A little boy adopts a large brush to replace his banished dog and is surprised when it comes to life and behaves like a dog. Also, host LeVar Burton visits the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade warehouse to learn how the floats and balloons are designed and created, and animators demonstrate how 3-D animation is created. The Reading Rainbow programs are designed to encourage children to read by transporting them to exciting, real-life settings. The series introduces kids to interesting new people and places, explores social and cultural issues and offers a close-up look at the world around them. Its dynamic, fast-paced, colorful animation and hip music entertain and reinforce these experiences and help children embrace positive reading habits, skills and attitudes.
The Culture of Mexico - Students will appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and how it affects the daily lives of its citizens in The Culture of Mexico. Students will find that Mexico's indigenous people and Spanish rule have influenced the ceremonial dress, folktales, foods and holidays of Mexico. Sample a day in the life of a fisherman's son and a student from Mexico City, and take a trip to a local market. Appreciate the music of Tejano bands, the artwork of Diego Rivera and Talavera pottery from Puebla, and learn why Mexico's culture is deeply rooted in tradition and honor.
Christmas - Many symbols and legends have become associated with Christmas, yet few know the meanings behind them. This program explores both the religious and legendary stories of Christmas to help children understand that there is more to the holiday than the department store Santa Claus. Christmas around the world is explored, with emphasis on similarities to American traditions, and the spirit of this holiday comes to life as members of the renowned Philadelphia Boys Choir sing carols. Children are also shown how to create a Christmas countdown calendar.
The Lotus Seed- From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow, this program presents the book by Sherry Garland. When forced to leave her country, a young Vietnamese girl takes a lotus seed with her as a reminder of her past. Also in this episode, host LeVar Burton explores traditions and heritage passed down through generations when he meets young people from Vietnam, Yemen, Russia and South Africa who have recently come to the United States. Viewers will see how each retains unique attributes of their own heritage, yet also contributes to a multicultural, harmonious society. The Reading Rainbow programs are designed to encourage children to read by transporting them to exciting, real-life settings. The series introduces kids to interesting new people and places, explores social and cultural issues and offers a close-up look at the world around them. Its dynamic, fast-paced, colorful animation and hip music entertain and reinforce these experiences and help children embrace positive reading habits, skills and attitudes.
Kenya - Welcome to Kenya! In this program, students begin their journey in the capital city of Nairobi, where they will visit the National Museum, watch a traditional tribal dance and take a matatu, or share taxi, to an open-air market for some shopping. Throughout the program, students will learn about some of the cultural traditions, history, climate and politics of Kenya, including how most Kenyans belong to one of over 40 different ethnic tribes. Students will go on safari to marvel at Mount Kilimanjaro, explore a Masai village and see elephants, zebras and gazelles in their natural habitat at Amboseli National Park. Part of the Countries Around the World Series.
Media/Video Links from Safari Montage:
You Tube Videos:
Additional Internet Resources:
Prizi:
Active Inspire Flipcharts:
PowerPoints:
Literature Resources:
Writing Resources:
Media/Video Links from SAFARI Montage:
- New Year’s Celebrations – Students will learn Mandarin Chinese Phrases for Happy New Year. Also students will view Mandarin Chinese celebrations and what their cultural meaning.
(4 minutes)New Year's Celebrations- Kwanzaa-Traditional West African drums, spirited dances, colorful candles and traditional clothes introduce young viewers to the African-American celebration of Kwanzaa. This program explores the seven principles of the Kwanzaa festival: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Cooperation, Purpose, Creativity and Faith in Self. An African folktale, ''Unanana and the Enormous One-Tusked Elephant,'' vividly illustrates the idea of conflict resolution within the community. Children learn to create their own necklaces from beads, buttons and pasta to share in the joy of this celebration.
(26 minutes)Kwanzaa- Chinese New Year -Chinatown erupts with the noise of drums and firecrackers and the beauty of vibrant colors during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The most important and popular of all Chinese festivals, the ideas of communal awareness and starting anew are taught by honoring Tsun Kwan, the god of the hearth, and the festival of the dragon. A zodiac quiz and a traditional Chinese folktale show how traditions have remained constant over centuries, while a Chinese dragon-making project invites children to discover their own creativity.
(22 minutes)Chinese New Year- Cinco de Mayo - Cinco de Mayo (the Fifth of May) is the celebration of Mexico's military victory over the French in 1862. This program highlights the history, preparations and festivities surrounding the holiday, and features the spirited sounds of a traditional Mexican mariachi band performing Mexican folk songs. Children also learn about the Mayan story of creation, and they are shown how to make their own maracas from everyday objects to re-create the sounds of Cinco de Mayo throughout the year. Part of the Holidays For Children Video Series.
(24 minutes)Cinco de Mayo- Seven Candles for Kwanza - Based on the book by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Alfre Woodard narrates this telling of the African-American traditions that are a part of the holiday Kwanzaa. An animated program.
(10 minutes)Seven Candles for Kwanza- Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving is a time to remember how much we rely upon and are grateful for the earth's bounty. Children learn the story behind the first Thanksgiving celebration, traditionally the American harvest holiday, and they visit Plimoth Plantation. Nanticoke tribe dancers re-create the sense of excitement and wonder the Pilgrims must have felt upon meeting the Native Americans. Children learn an Abnaki tribe myth on the origin of corn that teaches the importance of sharing resources, and a craft demonstration presents how to make a miniature Mayflower from walnut shells.
(22 minutes) Thanksgiving- Ramadan - Over one billion Muslim people worldwide observe Ramadan, a month-long religious observance. Children experience the beauty of the holiday as they construct their own Ramadan diorama and hear the exotic sounds of live Islamic and Middle Eastern music. They discover the religious significance of song and prayer and the principles and traditions that mark the holiest of the Islamic holidays. Children also learn the story of Muhammad and the Koran, the meaning of the Five Pillars of Islam and the importance of fasting and sacrifice in honor of Allah.
(27 minutes)Ramadan- Rash Hashanah/Yom Kippur - Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Forgiveness, are the two High Holidays of the Jewish calendar. Children are introduced to the deep religious significance of these holidays through a traditional prayer, a Tashlikh ceremony, folk songs and animated fables. They learn what the foods associated with these holidays symbolize, the special clothing that is worn, the importance of the Torah and of performing good deeds throughout the year, as well as how to make greeting cards wishing health and happiness.
(23 minutes)Rash Hashanah/Yom Kippur- Christmas Around the World - Froehliche Weinachten! Maligayang pasko! These are just two of the ways children learn to say ''Merry Christmas'' while seeing how Christmas is celebrated around the globe. In Christmas Around the World, join the kids at the community center as they learn how different countries celebrate this important Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus. This video offers a glimpse of the special foods, objects, songs and stories that people around the world incorporate into their unique Christmas celebrations, and helps students gain an appreciation for distinctive Christmas traditions worldwide.
(20 minutes)Christmas Around the World- Halloween - Halloween is known as the holiday of witches, jack o' lanterns and trick-or-treating, but its history is much more complex. This program explores several folk traditions from Costa Rica, Mexico and Ireland to explain the origin of traditional Halloween symbols, costumes, the custom of trick-or-treating and why Halloween is a time to celebrate and honor the memory of loved ones past. The importance of Halloween safety is also discussed. Children learn how to create a papier-mache mask, and Irish folk singers perform to make this program an exciting, informative adventure.
(24 minutes)Halloween- Pow Wow - Many Native Americans from across the United States and Canada meet throughout the year at Pow Wows, gatherings where Native American culture and life are celebrated by everyone. In this program, children discover the creative traditions of Native American crafts as they make a kachina doll of their own and learn the folklore behind the dream catcher. This program also includes drum music, celebratory songs, dances and traditional tales that comprise the fabric of Native American culture while acquainting children with the meanings behind them.
(25 minutes)Pow Wow- Brush - From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow, this program presents the book by Pere Calders. A little boy adopts a large brush to replace his banished dog and is surprised when it comes to life and behaves like a dog. Also, host LeVar Burton visits the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade warehouse to learn how the floats and balloons are designed and created, and animators demonstrate how 3-D animation is created. The Reading Rainbow programs are designed to encourage children to read by transporting them to exciting, real-life settings. The series introduces kids to interesting new people and places, explores social and cultural issues and offers a close-up look at the world around them. Its dynamic, fast-paced, colorful animation and hip music entertain and reinforce these experiences and help children embrace positive reading habits, skills and attitudes.
(30 minutes)Brush- The Culture of Mexico - Students will appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and how it affects the daily lives of its citizens in The Culture of Mexico. Students will find that Mexico's indigenous people and Spanish rule have influenced the ceremonial dress, folktales, foods and holidays of Mexico. Sample a day in the life of a fisherman's son and a student from Mexico City, and take a trip to a local market. Appreciate the music of Tejano bands, the artwork of Diego Rivera and Talavera pottery from Puebla, and learn why Mexico's culture is deeply rooted in tradition and honor.
(24 minutes) The Culture of Mexico- Christmas - Many symbols and legends have become associated with Christmas, yet few know the meanings behind them. This program explores both the religious and legendary stories of Christmas to help children understand that there is more to the holiday than the department store Santa Claus. Christmas around the world is explored, with emphasis on similarities to American traditions, and the spirit of this holiday comes to life as members of the renowned Philadelphia Boys Choir sing carols. Children are also shown how to create a Christmas countdown calendar.
(29 minutes) Christmas- The Lotus Seed- From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow, this program presents the book by Sherry Garland. When forced to leave her country, a young Vietnamese girl takes a lotus seed with her as a reminder of her past. Also in this episode, host LeVar Burton explores traditions and heritage passed down through generations when he meets young people from Vietnam, Yemen, Russia and South Africa who have recently come to the United States. Viewers will see how each retains unique attributes of their own heritage, yet also contributes to a multicultural, harmonious society. The Reading Rainbow programs are designed to encourage children to read by transporting them to exciting, real-life settings. The series introduces kids to interesting new people and places, explores social and cultural issues and offers a close-up look at the world around them. Its dynamic, fast-paced, colorful animation and hip music entertain and reinforce these experiences and help children embrace positive reading habits, skills and attitudes.
(3o minutes)The Lotus Seed- Kenya - Welcome to Kenya! In this program, students begin their journey in the capital city of Nairobi, where they will visit the National Museum, watch a traditional tribal dance and take a matatu, or share taxi, to an open-air market for some shopping. Throughout the program, students will learn about some of the cultural traditions, history, climate and politics of Kenya, including how most Kenyans belong to one of over 40 different ethnic tribes. Students will go on safari to marvel at Mount Kilimanjaro, explore a Masai village and see elephants, zebras and gazelles in their natural habitat at Amboseli National Park. Part of the Countries Around the World Series.
(14 minutes)Kenya